Keijirō Ozumi

Place: Ushioku

Born: 1846

Death: 1911

Biography:

Keijirō Ozumi was a Japanese entrepreneur, financier, and investor born on October 24, 1846, in Ushioku, Japan. He is known as the 'king of speculators' and 'the railroad king of the Meiji era'. Ozumi's life and career are a testament to his innovative spirit and business acumen.

Early Life and Career

Ozumi began his business with street trading, which proved profitable. Later he engaged in financial transactions, in particular currency exchange, silver, and gold. He moved to Yokohama in the early 1870s and tried to work in the market for raw silk, Western silver, and silkworms. From November 1876 to June 1877, he traveled abroad to the United States and Europe.

Artistic Interests

Although Ozumi was not a painter himself, his interests in art can be seen in his support for Japanese artists. Keijirō Ozumi was known to have an appreciation for Japanese art, particularly the works of Jan Van Eyck, whose The Ghent Altarpiece (wings closed) is a renowned oil painting completed in 1432. The Ghent Altarpiece is housed in the Cathedral of St Bavo in Ghent, Belgium.

Business Ventures

Ozumi's business ventures were diverse and innovative. He established a flour mill in Fukagawa, Tokyo, which became a success. The success of the steam-powered flour mill led him to enter the business world in earnest. In 1883, he undertook a development project in Karuizawa based on his experience in the U.S., where he linked agriculture and industry. Key Achievements * Established a flour mill in Fukagawa, Tokyo * Undertook a development project in Karuizawa * Linked agriculture and industry

Legacy

Ozumi's legacy can be seen in his contributions to Japan's economic development. He was one of the leaders of the regional Koshu Zaibatsu, a group of Koshu merchants who banded together to engage in business. His nickname 'king of speculators' and 'the railroad king of the Meiji era' is a testament to his innovative spirit and business acumen.

• Breakthrough Innovation: Ozumi's unique and systematic breakthrough innovation led to Japan's successes in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Incremental Innovation: His accumulation of incremental innovation helped Japan realize unsurpassed economic growth between the 1910s and the 1980s.

For more information on Japanese entrepreneurs, visit Keijirō Ozumi or Keijiro Amemiya - Wikipedia. The POLA Art Foundation in Tokyo, Japan, is also a great resource for learning about Japanese art and culture.